Shannon Collins is a social worker and educator from Denver, Colorado in the United States. Now 46, she decided to pursue an autism diagnosis in 2019, after her child was diagnosed. Shannon describes herself as ‘an autistic, queer survivor of sexual and physical violence’ and has spent over 20 years working to end domestic violence and sexual assault through advocacy, prevention and education. She now specialises in the formation of trauma-informed victim advocacy programs in higher education institutions, and the development and maintenance of campus-based Coordinated Community Response Teams. In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Her two decade journey to diagnosis and healing ➡ Seeking accommodations at work ➡ The challenges of processing and verbalising her experiences ➡ The intersection of autism and trauma This is a difficult topic, but an important one, and I hope you’ll get as much out of this conversation as I did. Please be aware that although we don’t go into detail about Shannon’s experiences, there is discussion of sexual and physical trauma in this episode, so if you don’t want to hear about this topic you might not want to listen to this one. Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Article about the study on sexual abuse in autistic girls and women: https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/girls-autism-high-risk-sexual-abuse-large-study-says/  Support and services for people in the UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/abuse/ Support and services for people in the USA: https://www.rainn.org/   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abigail J Moore, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Jackie Allen, Jessica, Karawynn Long, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Laurie Green, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke, Tree Hall, Vera Cady and Vicki Temple. If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Kelly Coons was diagnosed autistic as a teenager, and at 20 is both my youngest guest to date and my only guest so far to have been diagnosed in childhood. She lives in the United States and is a prize-winning fourth year English student at Smith College, a liberal arts college in New England.  Kelly has two autistic brothers, one of whom is her twin, who were both diagnosed before she was, and who were the inspiration for her debut young adult novel, a coming-of-age story about two autistic young men. Since diagnosis, she has become passionate about disability advocacy and promoting Autistic pride.  In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Being assessed and diagnosed autistic without realising. ➡ Sensory issues  ➡ Social difficulties and finding friends ➡ Some of the challenges of having an invisible disability ➡ Her experiences of university  ➡ Writing and publishing her first book Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Kelly’s website: https://kellycoons.weebly.com/   Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellycoonswritesabout_____/  Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-coons/ Amazon listing for her book, All Ways: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093LR5H7N/  Goodreads listing: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57887022-all-ways   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abigail J Moore, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Jackie Allen, Jessica, Karawynn Long, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Laurie Green, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke, Tree Hall, Vera Cady and Vicki Temple.   If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Ann Mølgaard is a teacher at a sixth form college in Copenhagen in Denmark. She is 34 and was diagnosed autistic and ADHD in May this year, after being told that her initial referral had been declined because she was “too high functioning”. Since her diagnosis, she has chosen to be open about her neurodivergence with her colleagues and students. In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Getting a diagnosis in Denmark ➡ Childhood bullying and feeling left out at school ➡ Losing herself through a lifetime of masking, and the ongoing process of returning to her core self ➡ Being an openly neurodivergent teacher Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Ann's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annmolgaard/   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abigail J Moore, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Jackie Allen, Jessica, Karawynn Long, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Laurie Green, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke, Tree Hall and Vera Cady.   If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Suzi Payton is a life coach, stand-up comedian, comedy improvisation teacher and autism trainer from Brighton in the UK. She is 46 and has been diagnosed with ‘clinically significant autistic traits’, but believes that her lifelong masking has prevented her from receiving a full diagnosis. She does have a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD.  When her 17-year teaching career ended after she experienced workplace bullying and gaslighting she became self employed, and she now coaches other neurodivergent adults and delivers autism training to organisations.  She is passionate about supporting other autistic people to identify and celebrate their strengths and to get support with challenges. In our conversation we talk about  ➡ Her difficulties getting a diagnosis ➡ Sensory and communication issues, toxic workplaces and bullying at work ➡ Being out as a neurodivergent person in the workplace ➡ Her work as a coach to other neurodivergent adults ➡ Discovering improv and drama, and finding what she needed to thrive and enjoy her life and work Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Suzi's website: www.suzipayton.com Her Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/suzipayton_coach_comedian/ Her article about improv: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-comedy-improvisation-changed-my-life-suzi-payton/   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abigail J Moore, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Jackie Allen, Jessica, Karawynn Long, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Laurie Green, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke and Vera Cady.   If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Carolyn Gage is a American playwright, performer, director, and activist. She was diagnosed autistic last year, at the age of 68. She is the author of twelve books and close to 90 lesbian and feminist themed plays, and her work is widely published and performed.  Carolyn toured for 22 years in her internationally-acclaimed one-woman show, The Second Coming of Joan of Arc. She has won numerous awards, including the Lambda Literary Award in Drama for best LGBT books in the US.  She was born in Virginia and currently lives on Mount Desert Island, off the coast of Maine, where she still writes and occasionally performs.  In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Growing up undiagnosed autistic in the 1950s in a dysfunctional home ➡ Escaping from reality as a child - and confronting it as an adult ➡ Energy, shutdown and burnout ➡ The intersection of autism, feminism, gender and sexuality ➡ Masking and relationships ➡ Choosing to live alone   TRIGGER WARNING Please be aware that there is mention of childhood trauma and abuse from the start of this episode, so if you don’t want to hear about this topic you might want to give this one a miss.   Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Carolyn's website: www.carolyngage.com   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abigail J Moore, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Jackie Allen, Jessica, Karawynn Long, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Laurie Green, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke and Vera Cady.   If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Sophie Adamkiewicz was born in Poland, but was brought up in Germany after her mother emigrated there when the Berlin wall fell, and she says that she has felt like an outsider all her life. At the time of our rerecording she was living in Ireland, but was about to move to London. She is 37, and is currently self-diagnosed and on the waiting list for her autism and ADHD assessments.  She has worked in freelance video and CGI production, as a producer at a Fortune 500 company and been Head of Studio. She is now a producer at a large production agency. In our conversation we talk about  ➡ Coming to terms with being autistic ➡ Communication difficulties across neurotypes, and feeling out of place everywhere  ➡ Masking and stimming ➡ The intersection of autism and her transition as a trans woman ➡ and learning to acknowledge and accept our limitations Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Sophie’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/snek_Mom  Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophieahltorp/   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abigail J Moore, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Jackie Allen, Jessica, Karawynn Long, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Laurie Green, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke and Vera Cady. If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Kathy Carter is a writer and neurodiversity-affirming hypnotherapist. She was diagnosed autistic herself in 2017, after realising that her son was probably autistic. She in her 40s and lives in Kent in the UK. She works with neurodivergent, highly sensitive and anxious clients and her hypnotherapy is adapted to autistic needs. She has recently been appointed Neurodivergence Advisor to Therapy Today, the journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Their Advisory Board is a new initiative launching in September 2021 made up of a hand-picked range of counsellors and psychotherapists from marginalised groups across the black and ethnic minority, LBGTQ+, neurodiversity, and disabled communities. In our conversation we talk about  ➡ Her experiences of fatigue and burnout as a teenager ➡ Learning to listen to your body and be in tune with your own energy ➡ Polyvagal theory, and how it works for autistic people ➡ Bringing a holistic approach to therapy, and adapting therapy to autistic needs Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Kathy's hypnotherapy practice: www.arrivetherapy.co.uk Her blog post on polyvagal theory: https://spectra.blog/news-views/autistic-superpower-days-why-autists-may-be-on-an-autistic-spectrum-within-a-spectrum-different-autistic-days-and-a-nod-to-polyvagal-theory/ Thriving Autistic: https://support.thrivingautistic.org/en   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abigail J Moore, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Jackie Allen, Karawynn Long, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Laurie Green, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke and Vera Cady. If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast

Yenn Purkis is an inspirational autistic and non-binary author, advocate, public speaker and community leader from Canberra in Australia. They also have a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Their journey has taken them from serving time in prison, poverty and rejecting their autism diagnosis, to self acceptance, advocacy and a successful career. They are the author of nine published books on autism (soon to be ten!), including one for transgender and autistic adults. They are also a public speaker and presented at TEDx Canberra in 2013, and they are active on social media, where they have been sharing a daily meme since 2014. They facilitate a local autism support group which has been running since 2011, and have a number of awards for their work, including the 2019 ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Award. In our conversation we talk about  ➡ Coming to terms with an autism diagnosis ➡ Mental health ➡ How writing their story turned their life around ➡ Gender diversity, transphobia, and the crossover of autism and queer identities Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Yenn's website www.yennpurkis.com Their Twitter: https://twitter.com/yennpurkis  FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/yennpurkisbooks/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yennpurkis5/  Their podcast: https://jeanettepurkis.podbean.com Their TedX talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqdGb4TraFk    If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abigail J Moore, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Jackie Allen, Karawynn Long, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Laurie Green, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke and Vera Cady. If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Becky Beasley is an award winning visual artist, receiving the highest UK award for Visual Arts in the country, a Paul Hamlyn Artists Award, in 2018, and also teaches Fine Art part time at Goldsmiths College. But alongside her career success she has battled with mental health and hormonal problems, prompting her to go on a research journey that ultimately lead to her autism diagnosis in February this year. Becky is in her mid 40s, lives and works in Hastings in the UK and describes herself as a women’s health gap warrior. In our conversation we talk about  ➡ Hormones, female reproductive health and the gender health gap - and how these impact autistic people who menstruate ➡ Mental health and its impact on life and work ➡ Becoming attuned to ourselves, meeting our sensory needs and giving ourselves permission to stim ➡ Gender identity, friendship and finding your tribe   TRIGGER WARNING: Please be aware that there is mention of suicide and suicidal ideation, miscarriage and eating disorders from the start of this episode, so if you don’t want to hear about these topics you might want to give this one a miss. Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Becky's website: www.beckybeasley.com/ Her award: https://www.phf.org.uk/artist/becky-beasley/ More about her art: https://www.plan-b.ro/artist/becky-beasley/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckybeasleyuk/ https://www.instagram.com/autist_perimenopause_diary/  https://www.instagram.com/theseaweedshophastings/  Maisie Hill (hormones): https://www.maisiehill.com/  Towards a Profile of Adult Autistic women: https://taniaannmarshall.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/moving-towards-a-female-profile-the-unique-characteristics-abilities-and-talents-of-asperwomen-adult-women-with-asperger-syndrome/    If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abigail J Moore, Caroline, Cat Preston, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Karawynn Long, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Laurie Green, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke, Sarah Hardy and Vera Cady. If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Daisy Shearer is a PhD candidate in experimental condensed matter physics at the University of Surrey in the UK. She is a passionate researcher, science communicator, and educator with a drive to make STEM more accessible and inclusive, focusing on disabled and neurodivergent people. Now 25, she was diagnosed autistic at 21. I discovered her through her very popular Instagram account, Notes from the Physics Lab, where she shares snapshots of quantum tech research life and her work as a semiconductor spintronics researcher. She also has a blog and a YouTube channel, where she talks about physics and autism. In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Being openly autistic in STEM ➡ Managing sensory issues that lead to anxiety, meltdown and shutdown ➡ Whether autism is a disability ➡ Reasonable adjustments in academic settings ➡ Making learning and teaching accessible for neurodivergent students, and creating systems for connecting with other neurodiverse people Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Daisy's website: https://www.daisyshearer.com/ Her blog: https://notesfromthephysicslab.com/ Neurodivergent in STEM: https://www.neurodivergentinstem.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notesfromthephysicslab/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/QuantumDaisy   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Caroline, Cat Preston, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Karawynn Long, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Laurie Green, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke, Sarah Hardy, Vera Cady If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast